THEATREGOERS have criticised a decision by a town centre car park operator to scrap its cheaper evening rate.

Motorists parking at the Octagon multi-storey car park, in Howell Croft South, now have to pay the same rate as drivers during the day.

That means the flat evening rate of 80p after 6pm has been replaced by an hourly rate - from £1.20 for one hour to a maximum of £4.20 for six hours.

APCOA, the operator, argues the cost of keeping the car park open at night is the same as during the day.

But Octagon bosses are concerned that rising costs could stop some people from visiting the theatre.

A spokesman for Octagon Theatre said: "Although the car park is entirely independent of the theatre, with all pricing and operational decisions made by APCOA, we are in discussions with the operator about finding ways of potentially easing the cost of parking for our patrons."

The parking tariff rose at the beginning of December, affecting audiences attending evening shows at Octagon Theatre and the Albert Halls over Christmas and New Year.

Theatregoer Christopher Speed, of Egerton, said: "This is solely to raise more revenue and is another nail in the coffin of the arts in this town.

"I have had communication from APCOA about it costing the same to operate at night as during the day, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been running at a loss.

"Most people parking there at night are theatregoers who could park for free at an out-of-town cinema, but have chosen to attend live theatre instead.

"This isn't going to help at all."

A spokesman for APCOA said: "Our parking rates have been amended for a variety of reasons, chiefly to reflect the fact that the service levels provided are the same throughout the day and should be charged at accordingly.

"We have maintained an evening tariff rate for a number of years, but are not in a position to continue this policy and feel fully justified in charging all our customers the same rates at any time of the day."

APCOA also operates a ground-level car park at Elizabeth House, next to the Octagon multi-storey, which will continue to charge evening customers a flat rate of 60p from 6pm until midnight and £1 from 6pm to 8am the next day.

The spokesman for APCOA added: "The Elizabeth House car park can fully accommodate theatregoers.

"While not wishing to lose any customers, we feel the service we offer is value for money."